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Published by Stop Wasting Your Wine
Choosing wine should not feel like a gamble. Each week Colin, Joel, and Aaron put bottles to the test so you know which wines are actually worth buying. Every episode includes an honest wine review, practical wine tips, and real opinions about what is overrated, what is underrated, and what deserves a spot in your cart. No wine snobbery. No confusing jargon. Just straightforward help picking better bottles. If you have ever stood in the wine aisle wondering “Is this actually good?” you are in the right place. Pour a glass and listen in.
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Did the wine industry push away a generation of drinkers by making wine too expensive, intimidating, and inconvenient? This week, we sit down with Los Cuernos founders Zeke Blattler and Cory Assink to discuss why they believe wine has a consumer trial problem and how they plan to fix it. Their solution is premium California wine served in single portion cans and kegs, designed for places where quality wine is often missing. We taste three wines from the Los Cuernos lineup: Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling Rosé, and their flagship Petite Sirah based Red Blend. Along the way, we discuss stale restaurant pours, the value of nonvintage wine, the science behind canning, and why breweries, burger bars, golf courses, hotels, and outdoor venues could become the next frontier for wine. Can canned wine break through the traditions holding the industry back, or will consumers struggle to look beyond the package? Wines tasted: Los Cuernos Sauvignon Blanc Los Cuernos Sparkling Rosé Los Cuernos Red Blend Learn more about Los Cuernos through their Instagram, LinkedIn, and online store. Website: https://loscuernos.com/ Online Store: https://loscuernos.com/shop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loscuernoswine/ Support the show! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 Did the Wine Industry Ruin Itself? 00:15 Introducing Los Cuernos 02:25 Why the Wines Are Nonvintage 03:42 Should You Drink Wine From the Can? 05:30 The Idea Cory Initially Rejected 11:28 When Wine Became Too Precious 14:42 Wine Has a Consumer Trial Problem 22:53 Tasting the Sauvignon Blanc 26:37 A Sparkling Rosé Built for the Can 29:47 Meeting Winemaker Gerardo Espinosa 34:13 Is This the Future of Accessible Wine? 38:07 Is Canned Wine Inevitable? 39:29 Tasting the Sparkling Rosé 43:06 The Flagship Red Blend 47:04 Why Zeke Almost Rejected Wine Spectator 54:28 Can Los Cuernos Help Wine Grow Again? 57:41 Reviewing the Los Cuernos Lineup 1:02:11 Pick Your Poison 1:05:37 Where to Find Los Cuernos 1:07:31 Outro
Viognier came dangerously close to disappearing. By 1965, only about eight hectares, or roughly 20 acres, remained worldwide. Today, the grape is experiencing a comeback, and Yalumba played a major role in establishing it in Australia. This week, we taste the 2022 Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Viognier from Eden Valley. At around $24, it delivers lime, stone fruit, melon, vanilla, minerality, and a rich texture that keeps evolving in the glass. We explore why growers nearly abandoned Viognier, how a handful of producers kept it alive, and whether this bottle proves that the difficult grape was worth saving. Then we finish with our ratings and another round of Grape Guesses. Wine featured: Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Viognier Vintage: 2022 Region: Eden Valley, Australia Grape: 100% Viognier ABV: 13.5% Price: Approximately $24 This bottle was provided by Winebow Fine Wine + Spirits. Our opinions remain our own. Winebow Website https://www.winebow.com/ Winebow Yalumba Information Page https://www.winebow.com/our-brands/yalumba Winebow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/winebow/?hl=en Support the show! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 The Wine Grape That Almost Disappeared 00:20 Welcome and This Week’s Wine 01:32 Yalumba Viognier Details 03:22 First Sips 03:51 Lime, Stone Fruit and an Oily Texture 06:10 Colin Detects the Oak 07:22 What Makes This White Wine Different? 09:11 A Mix of Familiar White-Wine Styles 10:54 Was Viognier Worth Saving? 12:01 Why Growers Abandoned the Grape 13:15 How Yalumba Helped Bring It Back 16:20 Final Ratings: A Triple Must Share? 21:57 Grape Guesses29:46 Outro
Tokaji may be famous for dessert wine, but this bottle shows a completely different side of Hungary’s historic wine region. This week, we taste the 2020 Préselő Tokaji Furmint, a bone-dry white packed with sharp acidity, green apple, citrus, minerality, and a petrol note that transforms as the wine opens. We explore why dry Furmint has struggled to escape Tokaji’s sweet reputation and whether it could follow Riesling’s path from misunderstood grape to white-wine favorite. At around $30, can this unfamiliar Hungarian wine earn a place at your next dinner? Wine Details: Producer: Préselő Wine: Tokaji Furmint Vintage: 2020 Region: Tokaj, Hungary Grape: 100% Furmint ABV: 11.5% Price: About $30 Provided by: UNPINNED Bottle Shop Learned more about and sign up for the UNPINNED Wine Club and Bottle Shop! Website: https://unpinnedwineclub.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unpinnedwine/ Support the show! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:22 - Tokaji’s Unexpected Dry Side 02:02 - Préselő Tokaji Furmint Wine Details 03:51 - First Sips and First Impressions 05:00 - Apple Cider, Petrol, and Acidity 12:12 - Why Hasn’t Dry Furmint Broken Through? 19:41 - Our Final Reviews 24:53 - Exploring UNPINNED’s Wine Picks 25:51 - Hungarian Grape Guesses 32:44 - Final Thoughts and Outro
Albariño usually means Spain or Portugal. This week, we travel much farther south to see whether the grape has found a legitimate second home in Uruguay. We taste the 2025 Bodega Garzón Reserva Albariño, a coastal white wine packed with grapefruit, green apple, floral aromas, bright acidity, and a salty finish. Does Uruguay bring something new to the grape, or has Bodega Garzón recreated the Spanish Albariño experience for around $20? We also explore why Uruguay’s Atlantic coast suits Albariño, reveal how heavily the country is investing in the grape, and play a Uruguay-themed round of Grape Guesses. Wine details Wine: Bodega Garzón Reserva AlbariñoVintage: 2025Region: Maldonado, UruguayGrape: 100% AlbariñoAlcohol: 13% ABVPrice: Approximately $20 Wine provided by Winebow! Learn more about Winebow and Bodega Garzón! Winebow Website https://www.winebow.com/ Winebow Bodega Garzon Information Page https://www.winebow.com/our-brands/bodega-garzon Winebow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/winebow/?hl=en Bodega Garzon Website https://bodegagarzon.com/en/ Support the show! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 Intro: Albariño From Uruguay? 00:58 Can Uruguay Compete With Spain? 02:02 Aaron’s First Experience With Bodega Garzón 03:45 Wine Details and Price 04:19 First Sips: Salty, Breezy, and “Acidy” 05:34 Grapefruit, Green Apple, and Coastal Character 07:57 What Defines Spanish Albariño? 08:55 Does Uruguay’s Version Taste Different? 09:41 Why Albariño Works in Uruguay 11:27 Availability and Value 13:03 The Final Reviews 17:17 A Must-Share Because of the Story? 19:33 Grape Guesses: Uruguay Edition 22:49 The Rise of Albariño in Uruguay 27:34 How Many Uruguayan Producers Grow Albariño? 30:33 Outro and Where to Find Us
This week, we explore two sides of white Burgundy through two very different expressions of Chardonnay from Louis Jadot. First, we taste the bright and unoaked 2024 Mâcon-Villages. Then we move to the warmer and fuller 2024 Pouilly-Fuissé, aged for six months in French oak. Tasting them side by side gives us a clear look at how oak, place, and appellation shape what ends up in the glass. We also explore why the Mâconnais offers some of Burgundy’s best value, debate which style we prefer, and close with a Chardonnay edition of Grape Guesses. Two wines. One grape. Two completely different sides of white Burgundy. Wines Reviewed 2024 Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay Region: Mâconnais, Burgundy, France Grape: 100% Chardonnay Style: Unoaked ABV: 12.5% Price: Approximately $16 2024 Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé Region: Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France Grape: 100% Chardonnay Style: Aged six months in French oak ABV: 13.5% Price: Approximately $30 Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:39 Meet the Two Louis Jadot Chardonnays 05:59 First Sips 07:13 Tasting the Unoaked Mâcon-Villages 12:02 Tasting the Oaked Pouilly-Fuissé 18:29 What Does Oak Actually Change? 21:52 Is the Mâconnais Burgundy’s Value Region? 25:05 Mâcon-Villages vs. Pouilly-Fuissé 27:03 Rating the Two Wines 34:04 Our Final Verdict on Louis Jadot 36:10 Grape Guesses: Chardonnay Edition 42:52 The Judgment of Paris Tiebreaker 46:10 Outro
The Mondavi name remains one of the most recognizable names in American wine. But the Mondavi family hasn’t been involved with Robert Mondavi Winery since 2004. This week, we sit down with Robert Mondavi’s grandson, Brian Mondavi Borger, to hear what happened and how his family rebuilt after losing the winery that helped put Napa Valley on the world stage. Brian shares what it was like growing up inside an iconic wine family, the lessons his grandfather passed down, and why wine should bring people together instead of making them feel intimidated. We also explore the creation of Continuum Estate, the rugged mountainside vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and Tim Mondavi’s 50 years of winemaking. Then we taste Novicium, a limited-production, estate-grown Cabernet blend priced around $200. Can an expensive Napa wine deliver enough quality to justify the price? Wine Details Wine: Novicium Producer: Continuum Estate Region: Napa Valley Varietals: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot Alcohol: 14.9% ABV Price: Approximately $200 Learn More About Continuum Website: https://www.continuumestate.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuumestate Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 The Mondavi Name Isn’t What You Think 02:36 Meet Brian Mondavi Borger 14:23 Making Wine Less Intimidating 18:44 What Happened to Robert Mondavi Winery? 24:02 Building Continuum Estate 38:30 Introducing Novicium 42:25 Tasting a $200 Napa Cabernet 55:26 The Final Ratings 1:02:53 Aging and Collecting Novicium 1:04:39 Pick Your Poison 1:08:02 Outro
Last week, Louis Jadot's Beaujolais Village surprised all of us with incredible value. This week, we're raising the stakes with one of the world's most recognizable wines: Burgundy Pinot Noir. Can a $20 bottle from one of Burgundy's most respected producers actually deliver the classic Pinot Noir experience, or is great Burgundy only reserved for collectors spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars? Along the way, we explore why Burgundy is one of the world's most celebrated wine regions, what makes Pinot Noir such a difficult grape to grow, and why producer matters just as much as region when you're shopping for wine. Plus, we wrap things up with another round of Grape Guesses featuring surprising Burgundy trivia that puts the region's history and reputation into perspective. If you've been looking for an affordable Pinot Noir or have always wondered what all the hype around Burgundy is about, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Wine Details Wine: Louis Jadot Pinot Noir Producer: Louis Jadot Region: Burgundy, France Vintage: 2022 Grape: 100% Pinot Noir ABV: 12.9% Price: Around $20 Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 Can Louis Jadot Go Two for Two? 02:22 Wine Details and First Impressions 05:15 First Sip Reactions 06:55 Aroma Breakdown 10:35 Tasting Notes and Structure 15:15 Learning Segment: Why Is Burgundy So Expensive? 22:00 Final Ratings 31:55 Grape Guesses: Burgundy Edition 40:05 Outro
For years, we've heard that French wine offers some of the best value in the world. This week, we finally put that idea to the test with one of Burgundy's most recognizable names: Louis Jadot. We're kicking off our three-week Louis Jadot series with their Beaujolais Villages, a $14 Gamay that's available almost everywhere. Along the way, we break down why Old World wine labels don't have to be intimidating, how learning a few famous wine regions can make buying wine much easier, and why great French wine doesn't have to come with a high price tag. Wine: Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Producer: Louis Jadot Vintage: 2024 Region: Beaujolais Villages, Burgundy, France Grape: 100% Gamay ABV: 12.5% Price: About $14 USD Most importantly, we ask a simple question: Can a $14 grocery store wine actually be good enough to become your everyday bottle? If you've ever walked past French wine because the labels felt intimidating, or you're looking for an affordable bottle that overdelivers, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 Welcome to France! Our Louis Jadot Series Begins 02:43 Meet the $14 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 04:10 First Sips: Light, Airy & Surprisingly Fun 08:00 Why This Wine Works So Well 13:20 Does This Taste Better After It Opens Up? 20:30 Old World Labels Made Simple 25:30 Is This the King of Grocery Store Wines? 27:50 Final Ratings: Solid Pour or Casual Sipper? 31:40 Grape Guesses: How Well Do You Know Beaujolais? 35:15 Outro
This week we're joined by Ryan Julio and Shane Mason from Del Rey Wine Center to answer one of the biggest questions in wine: does proper storage really matter? We talk about what actually happens to a bottle as it ages, the biggest storage mistakes people make, and how heat, light, and temperature swings can quietly ruin a great wine. Along the way, Ryan explains why some inexpensive wines are worth buying by the case, why Riesling is one of the world's greatest aging wines, and how patience can completely transform what's in your glass. To put those ideas to the test, we finish the episode with a Keller Riesling from Germany, a wine that reminds us why some bottles really are worth the wait. If you've ever wondered whether you need a wine fridge, how long you should hold onto a bottle, or whether aging wine is only for collectors, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Check out the Del Rey Wine Center Website: https://www.usstoragecenters.com/storage-options/wine-storage/del-rey-wine-center Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delreywinecenter Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 Why Wine Storage Matters 02:08 Meet the Team from Del Rey Wine Center 04:50 How Del Rey Wine Center Was Built 07:45 The Biggest Wine Storage Mistakes 13:00 Heat, Light & Why Your Kitchen Is a Terrible Place for Wine 18:00 Does Storing Wine on Its Side Still Matter? 20:30 When Is It Time to Buy a Wine Fridge or Storage Locker? 25:15 How Temperature Really Affects Aging 29:15 How Much Does Professional Wine Storage Cost? 34:00 Why Ryan Chose Keller Riesling 39:40 The Best Affordable Wines to Age 45:00 Keller Riesling Review 50:35 Final Ratings
Over the past three weeks, our listeners challenged us to give Australian wine another chance. This week, we wrap up the challenge with one of the most recommended bottles we received: Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz (2023) from South Australia. Featured wine: Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz (2023), 100% Shiraz, South Australia, 15% ABV, approximately $24-25. Along the way, we discuss why this wine surprised us, how American oak changes the personality of a Shiraz, and whether a wine label can actually tell you something meaningful about what's inside the bottle. Then we crown the winner of our Australian Wine Challenge and answer the question we never expected to ask after our infamous Yellow Tail review: Was Australia unfairly judged all along? If you've ever dismissed Australian wine, or wondered whether a bottle's label is clever marketing or an honest preview of what's inside, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 - Australian Challenge Finale 01:55 - Meet Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 03:45 - First Sip Reactions 06:20 - American Oak vs. French Oak 11:55 - Wine Drop: Can You Trust a Wine Label? 16:45 - Does The Boxer Label Match the Wine? 20:30 - Final Ratings 28:15 - Crowning the Australian Wine Champion 33:30 - What We Learned About Australian Wine 34:55 - Next Up: The Greek Wine Challenge 37:30 - Australian Edition of Spellmelier
This week, we're putting another listener recommendation to the test and the pressure is on. After last week's surprise Australian wine win, our community is looking to go 2-for-2 with a Barossa Valley Shiraz from legendary winemaker Chris Ringland. Can a $24 bottle from one of Australia's most respected names really deliver? We dive into bold dark fruit, pepper, herbs, oak, and one tasting note none of us saw coming (fruitcake?!), while tackling a bigger question: Do great winemakers only make expensive wine? Turns out, the answer might change the way you shop for wine forever. Plus: Why affordable wines aren't just "cheap versions" of luxury bottles A chaotic round of Grape Guesses featuring kangaroos, Shiraz exports, and Australia's oldest vines Colin discovers new sound effects... and maybe a little too much power Wine Reviewed: 2021 Ringland Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) Have a wine you think we need to try? Send us your recommendation—you might pick our next winner. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 - Ushwin Wine Experience Announcement 01:38 - Our Australian Wine Challenge Continues 04:15 - First Impressions of the Ringland Barossa Shiraz 05:45 - Breaking Down the Aromas and Flavor Profile 10:15 - Do Our Tasting Notes Match the Producer's? 13:40 - Wine Drop: Why Great Winemakers Make Affordable Wines 20:55 - Final Ratings 27:20 - Grape Guesses: Australia's Shiraz, Vineyards & Kangaroos 34:25 - Close
This week, we're kicking off our Australian wine challenge with a bottle recommended by you, our listeners. After our infamous Yellow Tail review stirred up plenty of passionate responses from Australia, we knew we had to come back with an open mind. Enter the 2022 Penfolds Max's Cabernet Sauvignon from South Australia (14.5% ABV, $18-22). Along the way, we explore why it's a mistake to judge an entire wine region by a single bottle, why Cabernet and Shiraz can taste dramatically different even when they're grown in the same country, and how understanding the grape can be just as important as understanding where it came from. Most importantly, we ask a bigger question: are we finally discovering the sweet spot for value wines, or is finding great wine under $17 still just a game of chance? Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 Australia Wants Redemption 03:18 Todays Wine 13:42 Wine Drops 14:40 Cabernet vs. Shiraz: Same Country, Different Wines 18:35 Buying Wine by Region vs. Grape 21:14 Review and Final Thoughts 27:37 Is Great Wine Under $17 Still a Gamble? 32:30 Australian Challenge Week One Wrap-Up
What happens when two Midwesterners fall in love, start making wine in a Los Angeles apartment bathroom, and eventually plant their own vineyard in Oregon? John and Megan Adams of Wildsound Wine share their journey from home winemakers to farming and producing wine in the Willamette Valley. The conversation explores vineyard life, organic farming, whole-cluster fermentation, amphora aging, and why they believe great wine starts in the vineyard. The team also tastes and reviews the 2023 Gamay Noir from Wildsound Wine, discussing the winemaking choices that shape the wine and what makes Oregon such a unique wine region. Wine: 2023 Gamay Noir Producer: Wildsound Wine Region: McMinnville, Willamette Valley, Oregon Price: $35 Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Check out Wildsound Wine and buy a case...or two! Wildsound Wine Website https://www.wildsoundwine.com/ Wild Sound Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundwine Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Meet John & Megan Adams 02:25 - Falling in Love With Wine 04:00 - From Apartment Winemaking to Oregon Vineyard Owners 07:20 - The Reality of Farming and Growing Grapes 11:30 - Why Vintage Variation Matters 14:40 - Farming First, Make It Delicious 17:30 - Whole Cluster Fermentation and Traditional Winemaking 24:00 - Learning the Craft of Wine 28:30 - Why the Willamette Valley Is So Special 31:20 - What Wildsound Wants People to Remember 33:30 - Todays Wine 44:45 - Review and Final Thoughts
Can a Bordeaux-style Napa blend close out the Napa Wine Company series on a high note? In this episode, we review the Oakville Winery Napa Valley Red Wine, an estate-grown blend from Oakville, Napa Valley. The conversation explores how the wine evolves with air, why decanting may make a difference, and what stood out to each host after spending more time with the bottle. We also take a closer look at what "estate grown" actually means, why it matters, and why it isn't necessarily a guarantee of quality. Plus, the debut of a new game, Grape Guesses, leads to some surprising facts about Napa Valley vineyards and wineries. Today's Wine Producer: Oakville Winery Region: Oakville, Napa Valley, California Blend: 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot ABV: 14.1% Price: Approximately $50 Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Final Napa Wine Company Stop 00:53 Wrapping Up the Napa Wine Company Series 02:51 Todays Wine 04:13 First Impressions 06:33 Tasting Discussion 11:23 Wine Drops 11:46 What Does Estate Grown Mean? 17:15 Why Estate Grown Doesn't Guarantee Quality 18:44 Review and Final Thoughts 23:43 Introducing Grape Guesses 25:22 Napa Valley Trivia Challenge 30:42 Series Wrap-Up & Thanks to Napa Wine Company 31:22 Where to Find and Follow the Show
Can a $25 Napa red really deliver a premium wine experience? This week on Stop Wasting Your Wine, we're heading from Ghost Block to its sister label, Elizabeth Rose, to find out. In the glass is the 2023 Chockablock Red Blend, a Napa Valley blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec that surprised us from the very first sip. What started as a savory, herbal, and unexpectedly salty wine transformed dramatically as it opened up, revealing layers of dark fruit, oak spice, vanilla, and structure. Along the way, we explore why winemakers blend grapes in the first place, how small percentages of Merlot and Malbec can completely change a wine's personality, and why some of the world's greatest wines are blends rather than single varietal bottlings. In this episode, we discuss: • Why this wine tastes so different from a typical Napa Cabernet • The role of blending in creating balance and complexity • How decanting completely changed our experience with this bottle • Whether a $20 to $25 Napa blend can compete with wines costing far more • Why this might be a bottle worth buying by the case and aging for years Plus, a Pick Your Poison scenario that puts your wine pronunciation skills and your relationship with your boss to the ultimate test. Wine Featured: 2023 Elizabeth Rose Chockablock Red Blend 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Malbec Napa Valley, California Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine 00:00 Cold Open and Intro 00:50 Meet the Chockablock Blend 03:00 First Sip Impressions 04:58 Aromas, Herbs, and Salinity 08:40 The Mystery Flavor Everyone Notices 15:53 Wine Drop: Why Winemakers Create Blends 22:58 Final Reviews After an Hour of Air 30:20 Pick Your Poison: Correct the Boss? 35:24 Next Week's Wine Preview
A Napa Valley Cabernet that challenged expectations. This week the team explores the 2022 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, and finds a wine that delivers freshness, balance, and complexity without the overpowering oak and alcohol often associated with big California Cabernets. Along the way, they discuss how oak aging really works, the difference between oak flavor and barrel aging, and why intentional winemaking matters. The conversation also touches on wine tasting etiquette, including the great sip-versus-spit debate from a recent tasting event. Wine: Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon (2022) Producer: Ghost Block Estate Wines Region: Oakville, Napa Valley Price: $80-$100 ABV: 14.5% Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Ghost Block Website: https://ghostblockwine.com/ Ghost Block on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostblockwine/ Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine Chapters00:00 - Is This Napa Cab Worth $100? 01:50 - Meet the Wine 04:15 - First Sip Reactions 05:20 - Tasting Notes 11:55 - Oak Flavor vs Barrel Aging 17:05 - Final Reviews 20:00 - A Stop Wasting Your Wine First 24:15 - Pinot or Chardonnay 29:00 - Closing Thoughts
Priyanka French of Ghost Block Estate Wines joins the show to talk about her path from India to Bordeaux, Burgundy, New Zealand, and Napa Valley, plus how those experiences shaped her approach to vineyard-driven winemaking. The conversation covers organic farming, women in wine, mentorship programs like Batonnage and Wine Unify, and the legendary ghost story behind the Ghost Block vineyard in Yountville. Then Aaron and Joel review the 2024 Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc, a surprisingly layered and playful Napa Sauvignon Blanc that completely rewrites their expectations for the varietal. This week: - Why Priyanka believes great wine starts with farming, not trends - The real ghost story behind Ghost Block Vineyard in Yountville - How Burgundy, Bordeaux, and New Zealand shaped her winemaking philosophy - A deep dive into Sauvignon Blanc picking decisions, fermentation, and texture Wines reviewed: Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc (Yountville, Napa Valley, California, 2024) $35, 13.5% ABV Ghost Block Website: https://ghostblockwine.com/ Ghost Block on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostblockwine/ Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website https://stopwastingyourwine.com/ Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Wine 00:52 How Priyanka Fell in Love with Wine 05:07 Learning Winemaking Around the World 09:40 Breaking Into the Wine Industry 14:43 Mentorship & Making Wine More Accessible 19:33 The Ghost Story Behind Ghost Block 23:45 Sustainability, Elegance & The Future of Napa Wine 30:35 Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc Tasting 37:45 The Art and Science of Winemaking 46:56 Review and Final Thoughts 52:21 Pi Nope or ChardonnYay?! 54:50 Where to Find Ghost Block Wines
Sutter Home Chardonnay surprised the crew by being less offensive than expected, but the real shock was how little separation there was between a $9 1.5L bottle and the $15.99 Olema California Chardonnay. The episode dives into why Chardonnay gets such a bad reputation, how oak and climate shape the wine, and why people shouldn’t give up on the grape after one bad experience. Featured wines: Sutter Home Chardonnay, California, 13.1% ABV, $7 Olema California Chardonnay 2024, 13.8% ABV, $15.99 The crew also crowns a winner of the “Drink This, Not That” challenge and debates whether popular budget wines deserve all the hate they get. Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website https://stopwastingyourwine.com/ Chapters 00:00 - Intro and Challenge Recap 01:18 - Todays Wine 09:37 - First Impressions of Sutter Home Chardonnay 18:14 - First Impressions of Olema Chardonnay 23:24 - Why Chardonnay Is So Divisive 31:44 - Exploring Chardonnay Styles Around the World 34:14 - Revisiting the Olema After It Opens Up 35:22 - Review and Final Thoughts 40:13 - Deciding the Drink This, Not That Winner 47:26 - Upcoming Napa Wine Company Episodes 48:08 - Where to Follow the Show
Barefoot Moscato vs. Rivata Moscato d'Asti - Does a jump in price mean a jump in quality? Week two of the Drink This, Not That challenge, and Colin steps up as the sacrificial lamb. The Barefoot Moscato gets a fast, ugly, unanimous verdict. Think thick Sprite with a side of nickels. But the substitute, a DOCG-certified Moscato d'Asti from Italy, opens up a real conversation about what this grape can actually be. The quality gap is massive. The final rating? Closer than you'd expect. This week: Why Barefoot Moscato smells like nickels and tastes like thick Sprite What Moscato d'Asti actually is and why it's a completely different experience A close, heated debate over whether any Moscato can earn "casual sipper" status Joel tries ice. It doesn't help. Wines reviewed: Barefoot Moscato (California) $6 to $9 Ravada Moscato d'Asti (Piedmont, Italy, 2025) ~$14 Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website https://stopwastingyourwine.com/ Chapters 0:00 Introduction and Challenge Recap 3:38 Introducing Tonight's Wines 6:45 Barefoot Moscato Tasting 13:17 Barefoot Verdict and the Ice Test 16:10 Ravada Moscato d'Asti Tasting 24:00 Sweet Wine Misconceptions 25:36 Piedmont, the Region, and What Makes This Wine Different 33:00 Final Ratings and Verdict 40:48 Where to Find the Show
Some of the most popular wines in America are also some of the cheapest and most criticized. So the guys decided to put that reputation to the test. This week launches the brand new “Drink This, Not That” challenge, where each host tries to replace a widely available bottom shelf wine with something noticeably better without asking people to spend much more money. First up: Yellow Tail Shiraz vs Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet. The episode explores: Why bulk wine gets such a bad reputation What “bulk wine” actually means behind the scenes How consistency often matters more than craftsmanship at scale Whether spending just a few extra dollars can dramatically improve the experience Why inexpensive red wines can become so aggressive and unbalanced Featured wines include Yellow Tail Shiraz and Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon, as the team searches for a bottle that can escape the “waste of your wine” category without escaping the budget aisle. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3 Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website https://stopwastingyourwine.com/ Chapters 00:00 - Intro + The “Drink This, Not That” Challenge Begins 1:38 - The Rules of the Challenge 3:35 - Aaron’s Pick: Yellow Tail vs Penfolds 6:33 - First Impressions of Yellow Tail Shiraz 8:13 - Why Cheap Wine Gives Wine a Bad Reputation 12:01 - First Sip of the Penfolds Koonunga Hill 15:51 - Breaking Down the Penfolds Flavor Profile 18:19 - Wine Drops: What Is Bulk Wine? 25:00 - Why Bulk Wine Tastes the Same Every Year 28:45 - Review and Final Thoughts 35:50 - Can You Actually Upgrade Cheap Wine for Just a Few Dollars?
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Observed September 20, 2026.
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